Bilateral crisis following the 2025 Pahalgam attack
This article is about the diplomatic crisis following the 2025 Pahalgam attack. For the escalation that began on 7 May 2025, see 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.
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On 23 April 2025, a standoff[clarification needed] emerged between India and Pakistan,[4] sparked by the 2025 Pahalgam attack the prior day, a terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir that killed 27 people, including 25 Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim, and injured more than 20 others. The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility for the attack.[10][11] Armed skirmishes between India and Pakistan were reported along the Line of Control (LoC) beginning on 24 April, raising fears of further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. A ceasefire was announced on 10 May 2025 from 16:30 PKT/17:00 IST following an agreement between India and Pakistan.[12] Following the deadline, each country accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement.[13]
The standoffs[clarification needed] were followed by a diplomatic crisis which emerged between the two countries, as India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attack. India initiated the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, recalled its own diplomatic staff, suspended visa services, closed its borders, and announced its withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty,[1] while Pakistan quickly denied any involvement and instead urged for an international inquiry, which Delhi promptly rejected.[14] Pakistan initially responded with trade restrictions, closure of airspace and border crossings, and suspension of the Shimla Agreement.[4] India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also strongly urged Indian citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan, and called on those currently in the country to return at the earliest opportunity.[15]
Between 24 April and 6 May, Pakistan and India engaged in skirmishes including cross-border firing and intermittent artillery shelling.[16]
On 7 May 2025, India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor. According to India, the missile strikes targeted the militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to Pakistan, the Indian strikes targeted civilian areas, including mosques, killing 31 Pakistani civilians. In return, Pakistan said they had downed a number of Indian jets and damaged Indian infrastructure.
There are a number of misinformation campaigns across both the countries' media outlets following the strike.[17]
On 22 April 2025, a terrorist[19][20][21] attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 26 tourists and injured more than 20 others.[22][23] According to eyewitness testimonies provided to Indian media outlets, assailants reportedly questioned potential victims about their religious identity before opening fire, specifically targeting non-Muslims.[24]
The attack became among the deadliest attacks against Indian civilians in the region since 2000. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based, UN-designated terrorist groupLashkar-e-Taiba,[11][25][10] initially claimed responsibility. They stated that the attack was in opposition to Indian government policy allowing Indian citizens to live and work in Kashmir, that resulted in non-local settlement in the region.[26][25] Four days later, they retracted their claim.[27]
Diplomatic crisis
On the night of 23 April 2025, the Indian foreign secretaryVikram Misri held a special press briefing after a meeting with the CCS. He announced India's decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.[28] He further announced the closure of the integrated check post at Attari–Wagah Border, a travel ban for all Pakistani nationals to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and cancellation of all previously issued visas. Additionally, Pakistani military advisers at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were expelled, while their Indian counterparts in Islamabad were withdrawn, and the staff strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was reduced from 55 to a minimum of 30. The posts of such military advisors were deemed abolished.[29][30]
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims,[31] and its defense minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and regarded such events as revolutions.[32][33] However, in an interview with Sky News, while responding to allegations of terrorism, Asif said that Pakistan had backed terrorist activities at the direction of United States, Britain and the West going back three decades.[34][35]
Pakistan responded to the suspension of the treaty by describing it as inappropriate and lacking seriousness.[36] Pakistan also warned India of a comprehensive retaliation in response to the actions announced by the Indian government in the aftermath of the incident,[37] further stating that any action affecting water resources would be considered an act of war.[38][39] On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelled Indian diplomats and instructed Indian military advisers to depart the country no later than the 30 April.[40] However, the Kartarpur Corridor remained open for Sikh pilgrims.[41] Pakistan also cut off all trade with India.[42] Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement, on 24 April 2025 in retaliation.[43][44] The Attari–Wagah border ceremony was also reduced and the symbolic handshake did not take place.[45][46] Cross-border families were affected where their visas revoked.[47][48][49][50][51]
A joint cordon and search operation was initiated by the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A temporary lockdown was imposed in Pahalgam, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed to track down the militants, who reportedly fled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range.[52][53] On 25 April, soldiers demolished the family residences of two individuals suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam attack.[24] An Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers wounded during a gunfight with insurgents in the Basantgarh region of Udhampur.[54] Senior Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Altaf Lalli was also killed in the gunfight.[55]
Both Pakistani and Indian air forces conducted intensive flights near the LoC.[56] An Indian Border Security Force soldier belonging to the 182nd battalion of the BSF was captured by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally entered the Pakistani side of the Ferozepur border.[57][58][59]
Also on 24 April, the Indian XV Corps reported that it had thwarted an infiltration attempt by insurgents near Uri and killed 2 insurgents.[60]
Between 24 April and 5 May, Indian and Pakistani army engaged in skirmishes and exchanged small arms firing.[24][61][62][16][63] Reportedly, Pakistan's army initiated small arms firing across various sectors along the LoC,[64] which was described as "unprovoked" by Indian media.[65][66][67] The Pakistani army stated it shot down two Indian military quadcopter drones along the LoC in the Satwal sector and in the Manawar sector of Bhimber district.[68][69][70][71]
On 28 April, Pakistani Defense Minister Asif stated that an attack from the Indian armed forces was "imminent".[72] On 30 April, Pakistan claimed it has "credible intelligence" that India is going to launch military action within several hours.[73] On the night of 29 April, Pakistani forces opened fire on the international border along Kashmir.[74][75] On 1 May, Indian Home MinisterAmit Shah said that no terrorist involved in the attack would be spared by India.[76]
On 3 May, a soldier from the Pakistan Rangers was captured by BSF after crossing the border to India.[77]
On 5 May, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs announced an "effective civil defence in the event of a hostile attack" on 7 May across 7 states. Such drills were last conducted by India during 1971. As per reports, the drill includes operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens, crash blackout measures, training of civilians on civil defence and evacuation plans.[78][79]
Release of river water
Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 on 23 April 2025, local media in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, reported on 26 and 27 April that India had released water from the Uri Dam into the Jhelum River unannounced, resulting in flooding.[80][81] Additional reports indicated a sharp decline in water levels of the Chenab River in Sialkot, Pakistan, with satellite imagery showing significant drying of the riverbed.[82] On 4 May 2025, India had closed the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and was planning a similar move at the Kishanganga Dam on the Neelum River.[83][84]
On the night of 6/7 May, India launched "Operation Sindoor", striking what it described as "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan.[85] The operation lasted 23 minutes and consisted of missile strikes by IAF jets. Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence (India), said on 8 May that at least 100 militants had been killed in the strikes.[86]
According to India, the missile strikes of Operation Sindoor targeted the camps and infrastructure of militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, and no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. According to Pakistan, the Indian strikes targeted civilian areas, including mosques, killing 31 Pakistani civilians. Following these strikes, border skirmshes and drone strikes occurred between the two countries.
On 10 May, Pakistan launched an operation codenamed "Operation Bunyan al-Marsus" targeting several Indian military bases.[87] In retaliation, India also continued Operation Sindoor, expanding its scope to target Pakistani military installations.[88] This conflict marked the first drone battle between the two nuclear-armed nations.[89]
Ceasefire
After three days of the conflict, both India and Pakistan announced that a ceasefire was agreed, effective from 5:00pm IST/04:30pm PKT (11:30UTC) on 10 May, with talks set for 12 May.[90][91] Following the deadline, both countries accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.[13]
The United Nations urged both sides to have "maximum restraint" and to resolve the issues diplomatically.[92]
Iran
On 25 April, the Islamic Republic of Iran proposed to mediate a solution aiming at de-escalation between Pakistan and India.[93]
Russia
Russia issued a travel advisory in April 2025, warning its citizens against traveling to Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory cited increased security risks in the region.[94]
Others
The United Kingdom also issued a similar warning around the same time, mainly referring to the LoC.[94] China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, urged for de-escalation between the two countries.[95] Bangladesh and UAE supported peace talks.[96][97]
United States
The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory, issuing a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for India's Jammu and Kashmir, citing high risks of terrorism and civil unrest.[98] Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, reaffirming its support for India's counterterrorism efforts.[99][100] Later on, on 26 April 2025, President Donald Trump downplayed the diplomatic crisis, stating that the two nations "had that fight for 1,500 years", despite the fact that the Kashmir Crisis started in 1947.[101][102]United States Secretary of StateMarco Rubio stated that he is closely monitoring the situation after being advised by National Security Advisor of IndiaAjit Doval via phonecall after Operation Sindoor.[103]
According to US sources, the Indian airstrikes targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, included a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Bahawalpur. This camp was historically linked to the 2002 abduction and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. The operation reportedly resulted in the death of Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior JeM commander and brother of Masood Azhar, who was implicated in Pearl's beheading.[104][105][106]
The Government of India subsequently enacted a ban on several Pakistan-based YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, as well as false narratives targeting the country, its Army, and security agencies, as well as a ban on Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities.[109][110]
As of 8 May 2025, the escalation has caused significant disruptions in air travel across the region. India has closed 27 airports in its northern and western regions until 10 May, resulting in the cancellation of over 430 flights. Major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have suspended operations to and from affected areas. International carriers such as Lufthansa, KLM, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways have rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer travel times and delays on routes between Europe and Asia. Pakistan has also suspended flights from key airports, including Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, until further notice. The situation remains fluid, with both countries' airspaces experiencing closures and reroutings, impacting global aviation networks.[111][112]
Pakistan
In May 2025 a coalition of Pakistani actors including Andan Siqqudi and Ghulam Mohiuddin called for peace talks, emphasising the urgent need for dialogue and understanding to foster harmony and resolve conflict.[113][114]
Nepal
On 9 May 2025, a peace group held a mass demonstration to demand peace.[115]
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